Celestial Sword MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 314
2011-01-10 - Number 188
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o3,oc T: Target creature you control gets +3/+3 until end of turn. At end of turn, bury that creature.
"So great is its power, only the chosen can wield it and live." —Avram Garrisson, Leader of the Knights of Stromgald
Cards like Celestial Sword
Within the vast repertoire of Magic the Gathering, Celestial Sword is a unique artifact that offers a sharpened edge to any player’s deck. Its nearest relatives in functionality include weapons such as Bonesplitter, a staple that also provides a straightforward power boost to creatures. Bonesplitter, cost-effective and without the need for mana activation, is favored in aggressive strategies that seek quick buffs. Celestial Sword, while potentially offering a larger bonus, requires a mana investment to wield its power.
Adventurous players might draw parallels with Moonsilver Spear, which also carries a celestial theme and, like Celestial Sword, offers a late-game advantage. Moonsilver Spear demands a significant mana investment but rewards players with angelic tokens, presenting a different style of utility and board presence. Though Celestial Sword doesn’t grant creature tokens, its scalable power can be a game-changer in prolonged matches.
Assessing these similar artifacts in the context of MTG’s complex battlefield, Celestial Sword holds its own with its uniquely scalable power boost. It beckons to those who would build around it, offering strength to those with the patience and resources to unlock its full potential.
Cards similar to Celestial Sword by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Celestial Sword provides a significant tactical edge by allowing players to potentially draw additional cards through its equipped creature’s combat prowess. This mechanism supports players in staying ahead in card resources and maintaining the upper hand against opponents.
Resource Acceleration: By aiding in the deployment of creatures or activating abilities sooner than usual, the Celestial Sword serves as a catalyst for resource acceleration. Its presence on the battlefield could be the turning point, enabling swifter execution of game-winning strategies.
Instant Speed: Although the Celestial Sword is not an instant itself, its synergy with creatures that have flash or with other instant-speed spells can’t be understated. Its capability to instantly bolster a creature’s power during surprise blocks or end-of-turn plays makes it a versatile addition to any deck that thrives on timing and surprise maneuvers.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To unleash its power, Celestial Sword asks players to let go of a card from their hand. This demand can be quite taxing during tight situations when hand size is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: The sword’s forging requires a precise mix of mana, potentially clashing with decks that aren’t aligned with its celestial makeup. This could lock out certain strategies, particularly those that thrive on a more flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana investment that may be considered steep for its effects, players often debate its efficiency. In many cases, deck builders might find alternatives that offer more impact or better synergy with lower mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include Celestial Sword in Your Collection
Versatility: Celestial Sword is a flexible card that can be adapted to a variety of deck archetypes. It can offer both a boost in mana and power to creatures, fitting seamlessly into both aggressive and controlling strategies.
Combo Potential: This card can work in tandem with cards that benefit from equipment or triggered abilities when casting artifacts. Additionally, it can synergize with creatures that have tap abilities, offering more strategic depth and interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Given that it can alter the pace of the game by ramping or empowering your creatures, Celestial Sword holds a place in metagames where tempo plays a critical role and decks strive for efficient resource utilization.
How to beat
The Celestial Sword is a notable artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering, a tool that can turn the tides of battle in your opponent’s favor. When facing this mighty card, consider employing artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Abrade to seamlessly dispatch it from the battlefield. Alternately, employing counterspells such as Negate can prevent the sword from ever touching the playing field.
Strategies that focus on resource denial, such as land destruction or discard effects, can also hamper an opponent’s ability to utilize the Celestial Sword effectively. This can be especially impactful as the sword requires a mana investment to equip and activate its abilities. By restricting an opponent’s mana base or their card resources, you diminish the threat the sword poses. In the end, swift removal or preemptive disruption tend to be the most consistent methods in ensuring the Celestial Sword doesn’t dominate the match.
Adapting your game to accommodate potential threats like the Celestial Sword ensures you maintain control. Remember that understanding your opponent’s strategy and planning accordingly is vital, as is including versatile answers in your deck to handle diverse challenges that may arise during gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Celestial Sword MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition IV, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Celestial Sword and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Celestial Sword Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Amy Weber.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 314 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 188 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Celestial Sword has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |